Storage device and method of operating the same

ABSTRACT

Provided herein may be a storage device including a memory device, and a memory controller including a plurality of cores. The memory controller may load a boot loader image for firmware update running in a memory of a core arbitrarily selected from among the plurality of cores, receive a new firmware image from a host in response to the boot loader image that is executed in the selected core, and update a firmware image stored in a memory of each of the plurality of cores with the new firmware image.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) toKorean patent application number 10-2020-0128796, filed on Oct. 6, 2020,in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

Various embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to anelectronic device, and more particularly, to a storage device and amethod of operating the storage device.

2. Related Art

Generally, a storage device is a device which stores data under thecontrol of a host device such as a computer, a smartphone, or the like.The storage device may include a memory device configured to store data,and a memory controller configured to control the memory device. Memorydevices are chiefly classified into volatile memory devices andnonvolatile memory devices.

A volatile memory device is a memory device, which stores data only whenpower is supplied thereto and in which data stored therein is lost whenpower is turned off. Examples of the volatile memory device include astatic random access memory (SRAM), a dynamic random access memory(DRAM), and the like.

A nonvolatile memory device is a memory device in which data storedtherein is maintained even when power is turned off. Examples of thenonvolatile memory device include a read-only memory (ROM), aprogrammable ROM (PROM), an electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), anelectrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, and thelike.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a storagedevice having improved firmware update performance, and a method ofoperating the storage device.

A memory controller in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure may include a processor including a plurality of cores, and abuffer memory. The buffer memory may store a boot loader image forfirmware update running. The processor may load, from the buffer memory,the boot loader image in a memory of a core arbitrarily selected fromamong the plurality of cores, receive a new firmware image from a hostin response to the boot loader image that is executed in the selectedcore, and update a firmware image stored in a memory of each of theplurality of cores with the new firmware image.

A method of operating a memory controller including a plurality of coresand a buffer memory and configured to control a memory device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure may include:loading a boot loader image, which is stored in the buffer memory andprovided for firmware update running in a memory of a core arbitrarilyselected from among the plurality of cores; receiving a new firmwareimage from a host in response to the boot loader image executed in theselected core; and updating a firmware image stored in a memory of eachof the plurality of cores with the new firmware image.

A storage device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure may include: a memory device; and a memory controllerincluding a plurality of cores. The memory controller may load a bootloader image for firmware update running in a memory of a corearbitrarily selected from among the plurality of cores, receive a newfirmware image from a host in response to the boot loader image that isexecuted in the selected core, and update a firmware image stored in amemory of each of the plurality of cores with the new firmware image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a storage device in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing a configuration and operation of aprocessor of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a firmware image of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a configuration and operation of aprocessor of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a firmware image of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing an operation of a memory controllerin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for describing a method of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a memory controller of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a memory card system to which astorage device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure is applied.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a solid state drive (SSD) systemto which a storage device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure is applied.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a user system to which a storagedevice in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure isapplied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific structural or functional descriptions in the embodiments of thepresent disclosure introduced in this specification or application areonly for description of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Thedescriptions should not be construed as being limited to the embodimentsdescribed in the specification or application.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a storage device 50 in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the storage device 50 may include a memory device100 and a memory controller 200 configured to control an operation ofthe memory device 100. The storage device 50 may be a device configuredto store data under the control of a host 300 such as a cellular phone,a smartphone, an MP3 player, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, agame machine, a TV, a tablet PC, an in-vehicle infotainment system, orthe like.

The storage device 50 may be manufactured as any one of various kinds ofstorage devices depending on a host interface, which is a communicationsystem for communicating with the host 300. For example, the datastorage device 50 may be configured of any one of various kinds ofstorage devices such as an SSD, an MMC, an eMMC, an RS-MMC, a micro-MMCtype multimedia card, an SD, a mini-SD, a micro-SD type secure digitalcard, a universal serial bus (USB) storage device, a universal flashstorage (UFS) device, a personal computer memory card internationalassociation (PCMCIA) card type storage device, a peripheral componentinterconnection (PCI) card type storage device, a PCI-express (PCI-E)type storage device, a compact flash (CF) card, a smart media card, amemory stick, and so on.

The storage device 50 may be manufactured in the form of any one ofvarious package types such as a package on package (POP) type, a systemin package (SIP) type, a system on chip (SOC) type, a multi-chip package(MCP) type, a chip on board (COB) type, a wafer-level fabricated package(WFP) type, a wafer-level stack package (WSP) type, and so on.

The memory device 100 may store data therein. The memory device 100 mayoperate under the control of the memory controller 200. The memorydevice 100 may include a memory cell array including a plurality ofmemory cells configured to store data therein.

The memory cells may include a single level cell (SLC) capable ofstoring a single-bit data, a multi-level cell (MLC) capable of storingtwo-bit data, a triple-level cell (TLC) capable of storing three-bitdata, or a quad-level cell (QLC) capable of storing four-bit data.

The memory cell array may include a plurality of memory blocks. Eachmemory block may include a plurality of memory cells. Each memory blockmay include a plurality of pages. In an embodiment, a page may be a unitof storing data in the memory device 100 or reading stored data from thememory device 100.

A memory block may be a unit of erasing data. In an embodiment, thememory device 100 may be a double data rate synchronous dynamic randomaccess memory (DDR SDRAM), a low power double data rate4 (LPDDR4) SDRAM,a graphics double data rate (GDDR) SDRAM, a low power DDR (LPDDR), arambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM), a NAND flash memory, avertical NAND flash memory, a NOR flash memory device, a resistiverandom access memory (RRAM), a phase-change random access memory (PRAM),a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), a ferroelectric randomaccess memory (FRAM), a spin transfer torque random access memory(STT-RAM), or the like. In this specification, for the sake ofexplanation, it is assumed that the memory device 100 is a NAND flashmemory.

The memory device 100 may receive a command and an address from thememory controller 200 and access an area of the memory cell array thatis selected by the address. In other words, the memory device 100 mayperform an operation instructed by the command on the area selected bythe address. For example, the memory device 100 may perform a write (orprogram) operation, a read operation, and an erase operation. During theprogram operation, the memory device 100 may program data to the areaselected by the address. During the read operation, the memory device100 may read data from the area selected by the address. During theerase operation, the memory device 100 may erase data from the areaselected by the address.

The memory controller 200 may control overall operations of the storagedevice 50.

When power is applied to the storage device 50, the memory controller200 may execute firmware (FW). In the case where the memory device 100is a flash memory device, the memory controller 200 may execute firmwaresuch as a flash translation layer (FTL) for controlling communicationbetween the host 300 and the memory device 100.

In an embodiment, the memory controller 200 may receive data and alogical block address (LBA) from the host 300, and translate the LBAinto a physical block address (PBA) indicating addresses of memory cellsto which the data is to be stored, the memory cells being included inthe memory device 100.

The memory controller 200 may control the memory device 100 to perform aprogram operation, a read operation, or an erase operation in responseto a request from the host 300. During the program operation, the memorycontroller 200 may provide a write command, a PBA, and data to thememory device 100. During the read operation, the memory controller 200may provide a read command and a PBA to the memory device 100. Duringthe erase operation, the memory controller 200 may provide an erasecommand and a PBA to the memory device 100.

In an embodiment, the memory controller 200 may autonomously generate acommand, an address, and data regardless of a request from the host 300,and transmit them to the memory device 100. For example, the memorycontroller 200 may provide a command, an address, and data to the memorydevice 100 to perform background operations such as a program operationfor wear leveling, and a program operation for garbage collection.

In an embodiment, the memory controller 200 may control at least two ormore memory devices 100. In this case, the memory controller 200 maycontrol the memory devices 100 according to an interleaving scheme so asto enhance the operating performance. The interleaving scheme may be anoperating scheme of overlapping operating periods of at least two ormore memory devices 100.

In an embodiment, the memory controller 200 may include a processor 210and a buffer memory 220. The processor 210 may include a plurality ofcores. Each core may store a firmware image for an operation of thestorage device 50. Each core may execute the stored firmware and thuscontrol overall operations of the storage device 50.

The memory controller 200 may load a boot loader image from the buffermemory 220 in a memory of an arbitrarily selected core of the pluralityof cores. The memory controller 200 may dynamically allocate, in thememory of the selected core, an address of a target memory area in whichthe boot loader image is to be loaded. The memory controller 200 mayexecute the boot loader image loaded in the target memory area. Thememory controller 200 may receive a new firmware image from the host 300in response to the executed boot loader image. The memory controller 200may update a firmware image stored in a memory of each of the pluralityof cores with the new firmware image. In an embodiment, the memorycontroller 200 may update the firmware image stored in the memory ofeach of the plurality of cores with the new firmware image, in parallelwith processing a request received from the host 300.

The memory controller 200 may control the memory device 100 so that thememory device 100 stores therein the updated firmware image stored inthe memory of each of the plurality of cores before power-off.

The buffer memory 220 may store the boot loader image for firmwareupdate running. In an embodiment, the buffer memory 220 may be formed ofa volatile memory device. In this case, after power-on, the boot loaderimage stored in the memory device 100 may be loaded in the buffer memory220. In another embodiment, the buffer memory 220 may be formed of anonvolatile memory device. In this case, loading the boot loader imagefrom the memory device 100 may be omitted.

The host 300 may communicate with the storage device 50 using at leastone of various communication methods such as universal serial bus (USB),serial AT attachment (SATA), serial attached SCSI (SAS), high speedinterchip (HSIC), small computer system interface (SCSI), peripheralcomponent interconnection (PCI), PCI express (PCIe), nonvolatile memoryexpress (NVMe), universal flash storage (UFS), secure digital (SD),multimedia card (MMC), embedded MMC (eMMC), dual in-line memory module(DIMM), registered DIMM (RDIMM), and load reduced DIMM (LRDIMM)communication methods.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing a configuration and operation of theprocessor 210 of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the processor 210 may include a plurality of coresCore 1 to Core 4. The number of cores included in the processor 210 isnot limited to that of the present embodiment.

The first core Core 1 may be a processor dedicated for the firmwareupdate running. A firmware image to be loaded in a memory of the firstcore Corel may include a firmware update code for the firmware updaterunning. The firmware image including the firmware update code, e.g., amain firmware image, may be loaded in a memory area corresponding to astatic address in the memory of the first core Core 1.

The first core Core 1 may update, in response to an executed firmwareupdate code, a firmware image stored in a memory of the other cores Core2 to Core 4 with a new firmware image received from the host 300.

During the firmware update running, the main firmware image stored inthe memory of the first core Core 1 may not be updated because thefirmware update code included in the main firmware image is executed. Inother words, since the first core Core 1 communicates with the host 300in response to the executed firmware update code, the firmware imageupdate cannot be performed on the first core Core 1 while thecommunication with the host 300 is performed.

Before power-off, the new firmware image updated in the memory of theother cores Core 2 to Core 4 may be stored in the memory device 100.Thereafter, the new firmware image stored in the memory device 100 isloaded in the memory of the first core Core 1 after power-on, so thatthe main firmware image corresponding to the first core Core 1 may beupdated.

In other words, the main firmware image stored in the memory of thefirst core Core 1 may be updated through a power-off or power-on processafter the communication with the host 300 has been completed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing the firmware image of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, a memory of each core of the processor 210 maystore a corresponding firmware image.

Here, the firmware update code for the firmware update running may beincluded in the main firmware image corresponding to the first core Core1 that is dedicated for the firmware update. The firmware update codemay be stored in a memory area corresponding to a static address in thememory of the first core Core 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a configuration and operation of theprocessor 210 of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the processor 210 may include a plurality of coresCore 1 to Core 4. The number of cores included in the processor 210 isnot limited to that of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 4, a separate processor dedicated for the firmware updaterunning may not be present. Therefore, any one core of the plurality ofcores Core 1 to Core 4 may be selected for the firmware update running.

The firmware update code may be generated as a boot loader image. Thegenerated boot loader image may be stored in the buffer memory 220. Theboot loader image for the firmware update running may be loaded from thebuffer memory 220 in a memory of an arbitrarily selected core of theplurality of cores Core 1 to Core 4. In an embodiment, the boot loaderimage may be generated as a binary code.

The selected core may dynamically allocate a target memory area in whichthe boot loader image is to be loaded among memory areas of the selectedcore. The target memory area may be an empty area in which data is notstored. Therefore, an address of the target memory area may be variable.

Referring to FIG. 4, the selected core may be the second core Core 2.The second core Core 2 may execute the boot loader image loaded in thetarget memory area therein. The second core Core 2 may receive a newfirmware image from the host 300 in response to the executed boot loaderimage. The second core Core 2 may update, in response to the executedboot loader image, a firmware image stored in a memory of each of theother cores Core 1, Core3, and Core 4 with the new firmware image.

The firmware image stored in the memory of the second core Corel mayalso be updated with the new firmware image. The reason for this isbecause the boot loader image has been loaded in the target memory areathat is an empty area regardless of an area of the memory of the secondcore Core 2 in which the firmware image is loaded. Therefore, even whilethe boot loader image is executed, the firmware image stored in theother area than the target memory area in the memory of the second coreCore 2 may be updated with the new firmware image.

In other words, the second core Core 2 may perform communication withthe host 300 in response to the executed boot loader image code loadedin the target memory area, but this operation is performed regardless ofrunning the firmware image stored in the other area of the second coreCore 2, so that the second core Core 2 may update the firmware imagestored therein while performing the communication with the host 300. Inother words, the second core Core 2 may perform an operation of updatingthe firmware image stored in the memory of each of the plurality ofcores Core 1 to Core 4, in parallel with processing a request receivedfrom the host 300.

Before power-off, the new firmware image updated in the memory of eachcore may be stored in the memory device 100.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing the firmware image of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, a memory of each core may store a correspondingfirmware image.

Here, the boot loader image for the firmware update running may beseparately generated rather than being included in a specific firmwareimage. The boot loader image may be loaded in a memory of an arbitrarilyselected core among the plurality of cores Core 1 to Core 4.

In an embodiment of FIG. 5, in the memory of the arbitrarily selectedcore, e.g., the second core Core 2, the boot load image may be loaded ina target memory area that is an empty memory area, in response to adynamically allocated address, i.e., a dynamic address.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing an operation of the memorycontroller 200 of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, at S601, the memory controller 200 may load, in amemory of a selected core of a plurality of cores in the processor 210,a boot loader image from the buffer memory 220, the boot loader imagebeing provided for firmware update running and stored in the buffermemory 220. The boot loader image loaded in the memory of the selectedcore is stored in an empty target memory area in the memory of theselected core, rather than being included in a firmware image of theselected core.

At S603, the memory controller 200 may receive a new firmware image fromthe host 300 in response to the boot loader image that is executed inthe selected core.

At S605, the memory controller 200 may update a firmware image stored ina memory of each of the plurality of cores with the new firmware image.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for describing in detail the method of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 7, at S701, the memory controller 200 may dynamicallyallocate, in the memory of the selected core, an address of the targetmemory area in which the boot loader image is to be loaded.

At S703, the memory controller 200 may load the boot loader image in thetarget memory area and then execute the boot loader image.

At S705, the memory controller 200 may receive a new firmware image fromthe host 300 in response to the boot loader image that is executed.

At S707, the memory controller 200 may update the firmware image storedin the memory of each of the plurality of cores with the new firmwareimage, in parallel with processing the request received from the host300.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a memory controller 1000 in accordancewith an embodiment. The memory controller 1000 of FIG. 8 may correspondto the memory controller 200 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 8, the memory controller 1000 is coupled to a host,e.g., the host 300 of FIG. 1, and a memory device, e.g., the memorydevice 100 of FIG. 1. In response to a request from the host 300, thememory controller 1000 may access the memory device 100. For example,the memory controller 1000 may control a write operation, a readoperation, an erase operation, and a background operation of the memorydevice 100. The memory controller 1000 may provide an interface betweenthe memory device 100 and the host 300. The memory controller 1000 maydrive firmware for controlling the memory device 100.

The memory controller 1000 may include a processor 1010, a memory buffer1020, an error correction code (ECC) circuit 1030, a host Interface1040, a buffer controller 1050, a memory interface 1060, and a bus 1070.

The bus 1070 may provide a channel between the components of the memorycontroller 1000.

The processor 1010 may control the overall operation of the memorycontroller 1000 and perform a logical operation. The processor 1010 maycommunicate with the host 300 through the host interface 1040, andcommunicate with the memory device 100 through the memory interface1060. In addition, the processor 1010 may communicate with the memorybuffer 1020 through the buffer controller 1050. The processor 1010 maycontrol an operation of a storage device, e.g., the storage device 50 ofFIG. 1, by using the memory buffer 1020 as an operating memory, a cachememory, or a buffer memory.

The processor 1010 may perform the function of a flash translation layer(FTL). The processor 1010 may translate a logical block address (LBA),provided by the host 300, into a physical block address (PBA) throughthe FTL. The FTL may receive the LBA and translate the LBA into the PBAusing a mapping table. An address mapping method using the FTL may bemodified in various ways depending on a unit of mapping. Representativeaddress mapping methods may include a page mapping method, a blockmapping method, and a hybrid mapping method.

The processor 1010 may randomize data received from the host 300. Forexample, the processor 1010 may use a randomizing seed to randomize thedata received from the host 300. Randomized data may be provided to thememory device 100 as data to be stored, and may be programmed to amemory cell array of the memory device 100.

During a read operation, the processor 1010 may derandomize datareceived from the memory device 100. For example, the processor 1010 mayuse a derandomizing seed to derandomize the data received from thememory device 100. Derandomized data may be output to the host 300.

In an embodiment, the processor 1010 may drive software or firmware toperform the randomizing operation or the derandomizing operation.

The memory buffer 1020 may be used as an operating memory, a cachememory, or a buffer memory of the processor 1010. The memory buffer 1020may store codes and commands to be executed by the processor 1010. Thememory buffer 1020 may store data to be processed by the processor 1010.The memory buffer 1020 may include a static RAM (SRAM) or a dynamic RAM(DRAM).

The ECC circuit 1030 may perform error correction. The ECC circuit 1030may perform an ECC encoding operation based on data to be written to thememory device 100 through the memory interface 1060. ECC encoded datamay be transmitted to the memory device 100 through the memory interface1060. The ECC circuit 1030 may perform an ECC decoding operation on datareceived from the memory device 100 through the memory interface 1060.For example, the ECC circuit 1030 may be included in the memoryinterface 1060 as a component of the memory interface 1060.

The host interface 1040 may communicate with the external host 300 underthe control of the processor 1010. The host interface 1040 may performcommunication using at least one of various communication methods suchas a universal serial bus (USB), a serial AT attachment (SATA), a serialattached SCSI (SAS), a high speed interchip (HSIC), a small computersystem interface (SCSI), a peripheral component interconnection (PCI), aPCI express (PCIe), a nonvolatile memory express (NVMe), a universalflash storage (UFS), a secure digital (SD), multiMedia card (MMC), anembedded MMC (eMMC), a dual in-line memory module (DIMM), a registeredDIMM (RDIMM), and a load reduced DIMM (LRDIMM) communication methods.

The buffer controller 1050 may control the memory buffer 1020 under thecontrol of the processor 1010.

The memory interface 1060 may communicate with the memory device 100under the control of the processor 1010. The memory interface 1060 maycommunicate a command, an address, and data with the memory device 100through a channel.

In another embodiment, the memory controller 1000 may include neitherthe memory buffer 1020 nor the buffer controller 1050 therein.

For example, the processor 1010 may use codes to control the operationof the memory controller 1000. The processor 1010 may load codes from anonvolatile memory device (e.g., a read only memory) provided in thememory controller 1000. Alternatively, the processor 1010 may load codesfrom the memory device 100 through the memory interface 1060.

For example, the bus 1070 of the memory controller 1000 may be dividedinto a control bus and a data bus. The data bus may transmit data in thememory controller 1000. The control bus may transmit control informationsuch as a command and an address in the memory controller 1000. The databus and the control bus may be separated from each other and may neitherinterfere with each other nor affect each other. The data bus may becoupled to the host interface 1040, the buffer controller 1050, the ECCcircuit 1030, and the memory interface 1060. The control bus may becoupled to the host interface 1040, the processor 1010, the buffercontroller 1050, the memory buffer 1020, and the memory interface 1060.

In an embodiment, the processor 210 of FIG. 1 may be included in theprocessor 1010. The buffer memory 220 of FIG. 1 may be included in thememory buffer 1020.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a memory card system 2000 towhich the storage device in accordance with the embodiment of thepresent disclosure is applied.

Referring FIG. 9, the memory card system 2000 may include a memorycontroller 2100, a memory device 2200, and a connector 2300.

The memory controller 2100 is coupled to the memory device 2200. Thememory controller 2100 may access the memory device 2200. For example,the memory controller 2100 may control a read operation, a writeoperation, an erase operation, and a background operation of the memorydevice 2200. The memory controller 2100 may provide an interface betweenthe memory device 2200 and a host. The memory controller 2100 may drivefirmware for controlling the memory device 2200. The memory controller2100 may be embodied in the same manner as that of the memory controller200 described with reference to FIG. 1.

In an embodiment, the memory controller 2100 may include components suchas one or more of a random access memory (RAM), a processing unit, ahost interface, a memory interface, and an ECC circuit.

The memory controller 2100 may communicate with an external device(e.g., the host) through the connector 2300. The memory controller 2100may communicate with the external device based on a specificcommunication protocol. In an embodiment, the memory controller 2100 maycommunicate with the external device through at least one of variouscommunication protocols such as universal serial bus (USB), multimediacard (MMC), embedded MMC (eMMC), peripheral component interconnection(PCI), PCI-express (PCI-E), advanced technology attachment (ATA),serial-ATA (SATA), parallel-ATA (PATA), small computer system interface(SCSI), enhanced small disk interface (ESDI), integrated driveelectronics (IDE), Firewire, universal flash storage (UFS), Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, and nonvolatile memory express (NVMe) protocols. In anembodiment, the connector 2300 may be defined by at least one of theabove-described various communication protocols.

In an embodiment, the memory device 2200 may be implemented as any ofvarious nonvolatile memory devices, such as an electrically erasable andprogrammable ROM (EEPROM), a NAND flash memory, a NOR flash memory, aphase-change RAM (PRAM), a resistive RAM (ReRAM), a ferroelectric RAM(FRAM), and a spin-torque magnetic RAM (STT-MRAM).

In an embodiment, the memory controller 2100 and the memory device 2200may be integrated into a single semiconductor device to form a memorycard such as a personal computer memory card international association(PCMCIA), a compact flash card (CF), a smart media card (SM or SMC), amemory stick, a multimedia card (MMC, RS-MMC, or MMCmicro), a SD card(SD, miniSD, microSD, or SDHC), or a universal flash storage (UFS).

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a solid state drive (SSD) system3000 to which the storage device in accordance with the embodiment ofthe present disclosure is applied.

Referring to FIG. 10, the SSD system 3000 may include a host 3100 and anSSD 3200. The SSD 3200 may exchange signals SIG with the host 3100through a signal connector 3001 and may receive power PWR through apower connector 3002. The SSD 3200 may include an SSD controller 3210, aplurality of nonvolatile memories (NVMs) 3221 to 322 n, an auxiliarypower supply 3230, and a buffer memory 3240.

In an embodiment, the SSD controller 3210 may perform the function ofthe memory controller 200 described above with reference to FIG. 1.

The SSD controller 3210 may control the plurality of NVMs 3221 to 322 nin response to the signals SIG received from the host 3100. In anembodiment, the signals SIG may be signals based on an interface betweenthe host 3100 and the SSD 3200. For example, the signals SIG may besignals defined by at least one of various interfaces such as universalserial bus (USB), multimedia card (MMC), embedded MMC (eMMC), peripheralcomponent interconnection (PCI), PCI-express (PCI-E), advancedtechnology attachment (ATA), serial-ATA (SATA), parallel-ATA (PATA),small computer system interface (SCSI), enhanced small disk interface(ESDI), integrated drive electronics (IDE), Firewire, universal flashstorage (UFS), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and nonvolatile memory express (NVMe)interfaces.

The auxiliary power supply 3230 may be coupled to the host 3100 throughthe power connector 3002. The auxiliary power supply 3230 may besupplied with power PWR from the host 3100, and may be charged by thepower PWR. The auxiliary power supply 3230 may supply the power to theSSD 3200 when the supply of power from the host 3100 is not smoothlyperformed. In an embodiment, the auxiliary power supply 3230 may bepositioned inside the SSD 3200 or positioned outside the SSD 3200. Forexample, the auxiliary power supply 3230 may be disposed in a main boardand may supply auxiliary power to the SSD 3200.

The buffer memory 3240 functions as a buffer memory of the SSD 3200. Forexample, the buffer memory 3240 may temporarily store data received fromthe host 3100 or data received from the plurality of NVMs 3221 to 322 n,or may temporarily store metadata (e.g., a mapping table) of theplurality of NVMs 3221 to 322 n. The buffer memory 3240 may include anyof volatile memories such as a DRAM, an SDRAM, a DDR SDRAM, an LPDDRSDRAM, and a GRAM or nonvolatile memories such as an FRAM, a ReRAM, anSTT-MRAM, and a PRAM.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a user system 4000 to which thestorage device in accordance with the embodiment of the presentdisclosure is applied.

Referring to FIG. 11, the user system 4000 may include an applicationprocessor 4100, a memory module 4200, a network module 4300, a storagemodule 4400, and a user interface 4500.

The application processor 4100 may run the components included in theuser system 4000, an operating system (OS), or a user program. In anembodiment, the application processor 4100 may include one or more ofcontrollers, interfaces, graphic engines, etc. for controlling thecomponents included in the user system 4000. The application processor4100 may be provided as a system-on-chip (SoC).

The memory module 4200 may function as a main memory, a working memory,a buffer memory, or a cache memory of the user system 4000. The memorymodule 4200 may include a volatile memory such as a DRAM, an SDRAM, aDDR SDRAM, a DDR2 SDRAM, a DDR3 SDRAM, an LPDDR SDRAM, an LPDDR2 SDRAM,or an LPDDR3 SDRAM, or a nonvolatile memory such as a PRAM, a ReRAM, anMRAM, or an FRAM. In an embodiment, the application processor 4100 andthe memory module 4200 may be packaged based on package-on-package(POP), and then provided as a single semiconductor package.

The network module 4300 may communicate with external devices. Forexample, the network module 4300 may support wireless communication,such as code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobilecommunication (GSM), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA-2000, time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), long term evolution (LTE), WiMAX, WLAN, UWB,Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi communication. In an embodiment, the network module4300 may be included in the application processor 4100.

The storage module 4400 may store data therein. For example, the storagemodule 4400 may store data received from the application processor 4100.Alternatively, the storage module 4400 may transmit the data stored inthe storage module 4400 to the application processor 4100. In anembodiment, the storage module 4400 may be implemented as a nonvolatilememory such as a phase-change RAM (PRAM), a magnetic RAM (MRAM), aresistive RAM (RRAM), a NAND flash memory, a NOR flash memory, a NANDflash memory having a three-dimensional (3D) structure, or the like. Inan embodiment, the storage module 4400 may be provided as a removablestorage medium (i.e., a removable drive) such as a memory card or anexternal drive of the user system 4000.

In an embodiment, the storage module 4400 may include a plurality ofnonvolatile memory devices, and each of the plurality of nonvolatilememory devices may operate in the same manner as that of the memorydevice 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1. The storage module4400 may operate in the same manner as that of the storage device 50described above with reference to FIG. 1.

The user interface 4500 may include one or more interfaces for inputtingdata or instructions to the application processor 4100 or outputtingdata to an external device. In an embodiment, the user interface 4500may include one or more of user input interfaces such as a keyboard, akeypad, a button, a touch panel, a touch screen, a touch pad, a touchball, a camera, a microphone, a gyroscope sensor, a vibration sensor, apiezoelectric device, and so on. The user interface 4500 may furtherinclude one or more of user output interfaces such as an a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting Diode (OLED) displaydevice, an active matrix OLED (AMOLED) display device, an LED, aspeaker, a monitor, and so on.

As described above, various embodiments of the present disclosure mayprovide a storage device having improved firmware update performance,and a method of operating the storage device.

Examples of embodiments have been disclosed herein, and althoughspecific terms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted ina generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation.In some instances, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart as of the filing of the present application, features,characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with aparticular embodiment may be used singly or in combination withfeatures, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection withother embodiments unless otherwise specifically indicated. Accordingly,it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changesin form and details may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A memory controller, comprising: a processorincluding a plurality of cores; and a buffer memory configured to storea boot loader image for firmware update running, wherein the processorloads, from the buffer memory, the boot loader image in a memory of acore arbitrarily selected from among the plurality of cores, receives anew firmware image from a host in response to the boot loader image thatis executed in the selected core, and updates a firmware image stored ina memory of each of the plurality of cores with the new firmware image.2. The memory controller according to claim 1, wherein the selected coredynamically allocates, in the memory of the selected core, an address ofa target memory area in which the boot loader image is to be loaded, andexecutes the boot loader image loaded in the target memory area.
 3. Thememory controller according to claim 2, wherein the selected coreupdates, in parallel with processing a request received from the host,the firmware image stored in the memory of each of the plurality ofcores with the new firmware image in response to the boot loader imagethat is executed.
 4. The memory controller according to claim 3, whereinthe selected core updates the firmware image stored in a memory areaother than the target memory area in the memory of the selected corewith the new firmware image.
 5. The memory controller according to claim1, wherein, before power-off, the new firmware image updated in thememory of each of the plurality of cores is stored in a memory deviceconfigured to be controlled by the memory controller.
 6. The memorycontroller according to claim 1, wherein the buffer memory includes avolatile memory device.
 7. A method of operating a memory controllerincluding a plurality of cores and a buffer memory and configured tocontrol a memory device, the method comprising: loading a boot loaderimage, which is stored in the buffer memory and provided for firmwareupdate running, in a memory of a core arbitrarily selected from amongthe plurality of cores; receiving a new firmware image from a host inresponse to the boot loader image executed in the selected core; andupdating a firmware image stored in a memory of each of the plurality ofcores with the new firmware image.
 8. The method according to claim 7,wherein loading the boot loader image comprises: dynamically allocating,in the memory of the selected core, an address of a target memory areain which the boot loader image is to be loaded; and loading the bootloader image in the target memory area.
 9. The method according to claim8, wherein updating the firmware image comprises updating, in parallelwith processing a request received from the host, the firmware imagestored in the memory of each of the plurality of cores with the newfirmware image in response to the boot loader image that is executed.10. The method according to claim 9, wherein updating the firmware imagecomprises updating the firmware image of the selected core that isstored in a memory area other than the target memory area in the memoryof the selected core with the new firmware image.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 7, further comprising, before power-off, storing, inthe memory device, the new firmware image updated in the memory of eachof the plurality of cores.
 12. The method according to claim 7, whereinthe buffer memory includes a volatile memory device.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 12, wherein the boot loader image is stored in thememory device, the method further comprising, after power-on, loading,in the buffer memory, the boot loader image stored in the memory device.14. The method according to claim 7, wherein the buffer memory includesa nonvolatile memory device.
 15. A storage device, comprising: a memorydevice; and a memory controller including a plurality of cores, whereinthe memory controller loads a boot loader image for firmware updaterunning in a memory of a core arbitrarily selected from among theplurality of cores, receives a new firmware image from a host inresponse to the boot loader image that is executed in the selected core,and updates a firmware image stored in a memory of each of the pluralityof cores with the new firmware image.
 16. The storage device accordingto claim 15, wherein the memory controller dynamically allocates, in thememory of the selected core, an address of a target memory area in whichthe boot loader image is to be loaded, and executes the boot loaderimage loaded in the target memory area.
 17. The storage device accordingto claim 16, wherein the memory controller updates, in parallel withprocessing a request received from the host, the firmware image storedin the memory of each of the plurality of cores with the new firmwareimage in response to the boot loader image that is executed.
 18. Thestorage device according to claim 16, wherein the memory controllerupdates the firmware image of the selected core that is stored in amemory area other than the target memory area in the memory of theselected core with the new firmware image.
 19. The storage deviceaccording to claim 15, wherein the memory controller controls the memorydevice to store, before power-off, the new firmware image updated in thememory of each of the plurality of cores in the memory device.
 20. Thestorage device according to claim 15, wherein the boot loader image isstored in the memory device, the boot loader image is loaded in avolatile memory device of the memory controller after power-on, and theboot loader image loaded in the volatile memory device is loaded in thememory of the selected core.